$2,796,2000 DONATED BY
LAKE COUNTY VOLUNTEERS

For over 30 years, RSVP of Lake County has provided volunteers ages 55 and older to Lake County non-profit agencies. Across the county, the Corporation for National and Community Service’s participants in Senior Corps, Americorps, and Learn and Serve America have done tremendous good for the United States. They have improved the lives of millions of our most vulnerable citizens by helping children learn to read, caring for the frail elderly, rebuilding communities struck by disasters, transforming failing schools and revitalizing communities. They have done this both through director service and by mobilizing millions of additional volunteers.

Specifically, RSVP programs assist people 55 and older utilize their skills and life experiences to address community needs through service in their local communities.

“RSVP volunteers serve Lake County with tremendous dedication and enthusiasm,” said Cristen Kane, Program Director.
“Without their assistance we would not be able to provide the services vital to health and well-being of our community.” Currently, RSVP has over 800 volunteers serving 70 Lake County organizations.

“Each year RSVP volunteers collectively donate over 155,000 hours of service to these organizations”, says Kane. If you calculate that by the volunteer hour dollar amount of $18.04 established by the Independent Sector, Lake County receives over $2,796,200.00 of donated service from volunteers aged 55 and older each year.

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing the week as an annual celebration of volunteerism. Since then every United States President has signed a proclamation promoting volunteer week. Additionally, governors, mayors and other elected official make public statements and sign proclamations to support his week long celebration.

Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, President Bush issued a call for every American to dedicate the equivalence of two years of their life, about 4,000 hours, to serving their communities through volunteering.

In 2002, a report completed by the Independent Sector found that 44 percent of adults over the age of 21 volunteered with a formal organization. Of these, 63 percent volunteered at least once a month.

Volunteering not only benefits a community, it is also beneficial to the volunteer. Many studies have been done on the correlation of volunteering and health benefits. Several of the reports show that volunteers have a lower mortality rate, fewer overall risk factors, less insomnia, stronger immune system and quicker recovery from surgery. For the elderly population, volunteer is known to lower levels of anxiety, depression, stress and reduce loneliness and isolation.

This is YOUR invitation to volunteer, call RSVP of Lake County today to donate your experiences to benefit Lake County. RSVP offices are open Monday –Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., 440.269.3015. Also available through email at: Cristen.Kane@WESchools.org.